Bolder, Not Older | Redefining Aging & Celebrating the Brands Who Do!
This post is sponsored by Hair Biology (a brand that definitely celebrates the beauty of aging with boldness)! Thanks for supporting brands that support Empty Nest Blessed.
When I turned 50, I decided to start my career. Oh, don’t get me wrong, before that I’d done the most wonderful and challenging job in the world: I’d raised three kids. Like most women, it stretched me and grew me in amazing ways. But while I was raising them, there were many times I set aside my agenda, my needs, and my interests, in order to prioritize theirs.
When my last child left for college on the exact day I turned 50, I realized something: I’d put myself on the back burner for so long, I wasn’t even sure who I was or what I wanted to do! I knew I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to encourage, inspire, and be a source of positivity and joy for other women in my stage of life. But with absolutely no knowledge of web design, social media, or photography, was it even possible? Admittedly, I didn’t know a lot. But I knew one thing: I wouldn’t let my age be a barrier.
Society and Aging
It seems like our society sees aging as a problem that needs to be cured, fixed, erased, and resisted. The beauty industry sets an impossible standard that sends a very clear message—look younger. Don’t show your age! Those old notions about aging really need to be redefined.
We all want to look our best, be healthy and strong enough to do everything we want to do, and make a difference in the lives of our family, friends, and the world. It’s time for society to shift the focus from conversations about the outward, physical signs of aging, and instead, put it on the enviable signs of aging like confidence, knowledge, and achievement. Let’s redefine aging! Women over 45 are vital, empowered, and amazing.
Flip the Narrative: Show Your Age!
Don’t accept the prevailing message that you hear from society! Instead, flip it:
- You’re a survivor! You lived through the days of no bike helmets, no seat belts, drinking out of garden hoses, among other shocking things!
- Those crow’s feet? They show that you’ve loved well and laughed much.
- You remember the sweetness of the days when life was more about face-to-face interaction than texts and Facetime.
- The expertise you gained by being the go-to answer person for your kids makes you roughly the equivalent of Wikipedia!
- That extra skin around your middle testifies to a miracle: it shows that you grew life inside your body.
- Those gray hairs? They’re your crown????, Queen!
You are absolutely amazing.
Redefining Aging
I started Empty Nest Blessed with the desire to redefine aging by encouraging and inspiring women in our age group to move beyond society’s prevailing narrative. I had to teach myself everything from how to build a website to how to use social media. (Not to mention working up the courage to share my life in a public way.) I think – I hope – that inspires other women. If I can do it, you can too!
As I was busy trying to encourage and inspire others to think about aging in a different way, something happened that I didn’t expect: I discovered brands like The fact that there is a haircare line made specifically for women over 45 encourages and inspires me!
is a brand that is committed to redefining aging by supporting and empowering women over 45. They celebrate aging women and flip the prevailing narrative about aging on its head. They encourage women to show their age! I am so proud to be associated with them.
emboldens us to Show Our Age. There is beauty that comes with age, and that is something I
love and want to empower everyone to express boldly! The entire is formulated for the unique hair needs of women over 45. How great is that? It features collections with specific benefits for the various needs of aging hair:
- – Designed to weightlessly nourish and thicken.
- – Designed to combat yellow tones, allowing true silver tones to shine through.
- Soft & Hydrated Collection – Designed to hydrate and restore shine.
- Styling Collection – Designed to help with flyaways and frizzies.
is available exclusively on Target.com, and at Target stores nationwide. By the way, I used to use the Full & Vibrant Collection. That is until my 24-year-old daughter “borrowed” it for her hair! Ever since she stole “borrowed” it????, I’ve been using Hair Biology’s Soft & Hydrated Collection. It’s safe for my colored hair, with no parabens, and it’s specifically designed to weightlessly nourish and moisturize my hair. I told you how it’s made a big difference for me in THIS post — all about my life-long pursuit of shiny, soft, and hydrated hair.
I’m grateful to for spreading the “Bolder, not Older” message. I hope by the time our daughters are our age, society will have redefined aging. and that message will come through loud and clear.
How are you redefining aging? I’d love to know. Leave me a comment and share, okay?
I agree and have decided not to try to hide the fact that I’m aging. I also see my gray hair as a crown and am grateful for the wisdom that time and experience has gifted to me. (I do need to update my website image soon from an older picture and I look forward to it being authentic me–gray, lines and all.) I am intentionally stepping out more in confidence to do what I feel called to do. This season can be one of transformation and adventure if we let it be! Thank you for sharing this much needed encouragement for women!
Arris,
What a fantastic comment! Congratulations on your crown and all of the beauty and wisdom that you’ve gained over the years! You go, girl! (And if you need some awesome products for your gorgeous gray hair, I highly recommend Hair Biology (as does Mrs. Claus!). Hugs to you!
xoxo
Suzy
I am in this same stage in my life and have been looking for a blog Ike this. Thank you for following your heart and being bold enough to share your experiences and findings on how to be the best version of ourself at this time in our life. What a blessing!
Aw, Stephanie,
That means the world to me! Welcome. I’m so happy you’re here! I want to encourage you to live your best and most meaningful empty nester life. Our kids have our hearts, but you were made for more than motherhood! Go get ’em, girlie!
If there is ever anything I can do to help or encourage you, please email me at [email protected] or leave me a DM on Instagram @emptynestblessed.
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
xoxo
Suzy
Thank you for this post. I turned 50 in December and ‘feel’ all of what you wrote here. My son is 15 and not quite our of the house however, I am feeling the pull to do something for me. I left the working world almost 20 years ago to help my husband with his business. Although it was work, I feel it was for the family…..not something I would’ve sought out to do on my own. We lost that business in 2010 as a result of the 2008-2009 recession. Shortly after, I began to homeschool our son. We are still homeschooling today but he is more independent at this age. I NEED to do something for me now as much as I need to for our family’s financial well being. I’m finding it hard to start. Ugh! All those thoughts of being the age I am and what society says is the norm has creeped into every corner of my brain. I have always wanted to be a realtor but am wondering if starting that since we moved to a new part of the state is the right choice. I love homes, design and the variety of architecture out there! And people! Oh how I miss people! (-: I’d love to hear more about how you got mentally prepared to start on your new career adventure. And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m loving your blog. Thank you!
Denise,
Thank you for your precious comment. First of all, let me say that what you have been doing – working in the family business and homeschooling – those endeavors are WORTHY! Don’t ever downgrade those. You have made a huge difference.
I think the idea of real estate seems like a natural fit for you! There are also offshoots of that, like staging homes, etc. that might be faster entry points! I would recommend that you reach out to people who are in those fields and ask if you can take them to coffee, shadow them for a day, etc. Then pick their brains and pepper them with questions! You’ll know if you connect with what they say!
As far as getting started, once you’re sure you’re on the right path, make a practical plan. Then put together a support team (who won’t let you quit when it gets challenging or you get frustrated), and share your dream and plan with them. Then gather up your COURAGE, and jump in. You will be amazed at the people who will be so kind and generous and willingly help you! Commit to put in the work and just go. Hard work trumps talent every time, and you have to do the hard work. There are no shortcuts! Here are a few of my past posts that might help encourage you:
A Step-by-Step Plan for Finding Your Purpose in the Empty Nest: https://emptynestblessed.com/2020/07/20/find-your-purpose/
Walking Into the Future: Figuring Out What’s Next in the Empty Nest:
https://emptynestblessed.com/2017/09/04/whats-next/
Also, I recently did an interview about how I started Empty Nest Blessed and the heart behind it. You can read that HERE: https://shoutoutdfw.com/meet-suzy-mighell-influencer/
You can also listen to me talk about that very thing on one of my favorite podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/howd-she-do-that/id1511420962?i=1000485602985
I hope that helps, Denise! Go get em, girlie!!!! I’ll be cheering you on!
xoxo
Suzy